Residents and entrepreneurs in Kajiado have complained about cattle within the area causing a menace to their businesses.
This is due to the ravaging effects of drought in Kajiado County which has now been dominated by cattle freely roaming in towns.
According to the residents, the cattle feeding on garbage and crisscrossing the roads have become an eyesore in the urban centers, especially Kitengela and Isinya.
They added that the free-roaming cattle which are spotted in the town as early as 6 am have also become a threat to vegetable vendors who are now forced to safeguard their produce from the hungry animals.
On their part, the vendors stated that the cattle have formed an interesting pattern of roaming around vegetables and green maize selling points awaiting their mercy to at least throwaway waste which is now a rare precious meal to survive on.
Entrepreneurs are also not taking chances and instead focused to find out the cow owners demanding pay for the waste feed to the cows.
Entrepreneurs narrate their encounters with the cattle
Jackson Topoi a farmer in Korompoi says that since he cannot afford to feed his herd on available expensive hay, his option remains to dump the cattle in town.
"It pains me to see a hungry cow, it also pains me to imagine selling the same cow at a throwaway price but it pains me more imagining the cow can die of hunger. The cattle just have to survive and that is in the unusual environment and feeding on unusual feed," Topoi says.
Topoi added that it is shocking to them that cattle can also feed on cooked food.
"Cattle hunger reality is hitting us hard. We have literarily allowed our precious animals to feed in unhealthy garbage. We are just optimistic of better days ahead and hoping it rains soon," Topoi says.
Magret Wanjiru a green maize vendor at the Kitengela market now sells the cons remains including maize cobs at Ksh70 for a 90kg gunny bag.
" I consider this as an emerging business opportunity for me. Yes, I pitty the affected farmer but at the same time, I boost my income of the day as per the opportunity I get. I make at least Ksh350 per day from the same," Wanjiru added.
To avert the crisis over the damage caused by the said cows, car owners have also appealed to the business community to retain them (Cows) and seek mutual resolution on the matter of concern.
Three weeks ago, a farmer was left counting losses after unknown goons sliced grazing cattle with machetes in the suspected verge of anger caused by the roaming cattle which are in search of pasture.
On the other hand, motorist want road signage warning road users of crossing animals to avert accidents.
On several occasions speeding motorist have rammed cattle, sheep and goats while crossing the road leding to losses.
